10-08-2013, 04:34 AM
An interesting article headlined "Extrusive Volcanism Formed the Hawaiian Islands" came up on a science newsletter that described a UH study with contributions from Jim Kauahikaua, head of HVO. Mostly a "science marches on" article, the conclusion was that contrary to previous understanding, historically the bulk of the islands came about by extruded surface flows rather than intrusive flows from down below that just kept pushing the islands up without reaching the surface. There was one quote that relates to us in Puna:
quote:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/201...094558.htm
"This could imply that over the long-term, Kilauea's ERZ [East Rift Zone] will see less seismic activity and more eruptive activity that previously thought. The 3-decade-old eruption along Kilauea's ERZ could last for many, many more decades to come," said Dr. Garrett Ito, Professor of Geology and Geophysics at UHM and co-author.